UN establishes Independent Expert Advisory Group on Data Revolution

The United Nations' Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced on 29 August 2014 the establishment of an Independent Expert Advisory Group (IEAG) on the DataRevolution for Sustainable Development. He expects the group to provide him with inputs to shape “an ambitious and achievable vision” for a future development agenda beyond 2015 to succeed the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

“The data revolution is giving the world powerful tools that can help usher in a more sustainable future,” Mr. Ban said in a news release. “The recommendations of the Group will be important inputs to the post-2015 debate and our efforts to shape an ambitious yet achievable vision.”

The 24-member group of experts from civil society, private sector, academia, governments and international organizations is also expected to assess new opportunities linked to innovation, technical progress and the surge of new public and private data providers to support and complement conventional statistical systems and strengthen accountability at the global, regional and national levels.